How to evaluate speakers?


I have brought home two speakers to evaluate from the dealer. One is the Paradigm Monitor 11 and the other is the Monitor Audio Silver 6. I am using them for music using a Rotel 1060 amplifier. So far they both sound wonderful to me. I have to pick one of these two. But I can't tell which one I like better.
What are the things I should be listening for? I listen to a lot of jazz like Miles Davis, Coltrane, Oscar Peterson etc. A lot of world beat with lots of percussion, some classical.

How do you tell if one is better then the other?
keithjohnsondd85

Showing 1 response by consttraveler

I agree with Rar1 and Mt10425. As Mt wrote, piano is the most difficult to get right and Rar1 is pointing out specific music with characteristics that when reproduced well "jump out at you."

I suggest you use music that you have heard many times, with which you have an emotional/viceral connection. That way, when you have the speakers placed to their optimum (no small task, I use tape on the floor to remember where each was located for the last listening) you can find the pair that does "it" for you.

Best of luck & good listening.

Dave